Amount of illegal vapes seized in Shropshire

More than 6,000 illegal vapes were seized in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin last year, with disposable vapes accounting for over 1,000 of the illicit devices that are now illegal.

Since the ban came into force on June 1, 2025, councils across the country have seized 255,648 illegal disposable vapes – a rise of 293 per cent compared to the previous year. The figure for the overall number of illegal vapes is 1.3 million.

Alongside the surge in confiscated vapes, data obtained by Vape Club shows that around 7 million illicit cigarettes were also seized in 2025, including 23,973 in Telford and Wrekin.

The Borough also saw 4,160 illegal vapes seized between 2023 and 2025, including 1,464 last year. That includes 97 illegal disposable vapes.

Councillor Richard Overton, deputy leader at Telford & Wrekin Council and Cabinet member for safer streets and better housing, said: “Telford & Wrekin trading standards regularly inspect premises which sell vapes.

“In the 12 months since the ban on disposable vapes was implemented, the number of illegal vapes seized by the team has reduced, in part because prior to the ban coming into effect, officers made a series of advisory visits to traders to warn them of the change in legislation.

“Where illegal vapes are found by the team, action continues to be taken to remove non-compliant products from the marketplace.”

In Shropshire, 7,257 illegal vapes were seized between 2023 and 2025, including 3,224 last year. During the past three years, there were also 6,574 illegal cigarettes seized.

A Shropshire Council spokesperson said: “The Government has rightly banned disposable vapes since June 1, 2025 due to their appeal to young people, their harmful contents and their addictive effects, which can lead to future dependence on nicotine and tobacco.

“We also need to combat significant environmental damage from the discarded plastics used for these devices.

“The sale of illicit vapes and tobacco undermines the legitimate market and poses a potential danger to users who may not be aware of the nicotine content or the ingredients of these products.

“We will not hesitate to take action against traders who ignore the law and we urge anyone who has concerns about illegal products to report them to us.”